NightTalk withAubrey Masango

In the light of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des Van Rooyen insistence he went to Dubai for only one day on a holiday, we ask, is this really somewhere one would travel for a one day vacation?

Bruce Whitfield speaks to Peter Delmar who has worked in journalism and public relations in South Africa, Dubai and London for 20-odd years, to try give us 5 reasons people might visit Dubai for a day.

I think Dubai is a completely remarkable destination and city, and everybody should go to Dubai and check it out, these crazy buildings and shopping malls. And think, they've only done that in the last 40 years.

— Peter Delmar, journalist and author

Delmar concedes it beggars belief that anyone would go there for just a day on vacation. He says three or four days is a more realistic time frame to enjoy the city.

But, he says, he loved his time spent living in Dubai.

The best thing about my time in Dubai was the people we met. My wife and I still have friends from places like Egypt and India...Most of the people are from strange and fascinating places.

— Peter Delmar, journalist and author

Dubai is however in the middle of a number of the world's biggest global centres and it is a place with business opportunities. And while it appears it is indeed a great place to meet people and to have a big 'jol', most people going there for a day are probably going to attend a meeting.